Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

The Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (DD/CIA) is a key position within the United States Intelligence Community, serving as the second-highest-ranking official of the Central Intelligence Agency. This role supports the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (D/CIA) in managing the Agency’s responsibilities, which include intelligence collection, analysis, covert action, counterintelligence, and maintaining liaison relationships with foreign services.

Historical Background

The position of the Deputy Director was established as part of statutory office (50 U.S.C. § 3037) to ensure that the CIA operates efficiently and effectively in its mission to gather and analyze intelligence to support national security. The DD/CIA acts as a principal advisor to the Director of National Intelligence and is empowered to exercise the Director's powers in their absence or if the Director position becomes vacant.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Director's duties are expansive and include overseeing various aspects of the CIA's operations. This includes:

• Intelligence Collection: Ensuring the Agency gathers crucial information from a variety of sources to inform government decision-making.
• Analysis: Leading teams that interpret data to provide accurate and timely intelligence to U.S. policymakers.
• Covert Action: Overseeing operations intended to influence political, economic, or military conditions abroad while maintaining plausible deniability.
• Counterintelligence: Protecting against espionage and other intelligence threats by foreign entities.
• Liaison Relationships: Managing the Agency's interactions with foreign intelligence services, ensuring cooperation aligns with U.S. interests.

Notable Figures

Several individuals have served as DD/CIA, contributing significantly to the agency’s mission. For example, Avril Haines served as Deputy Director before becoming Deputy National Security Advisor. Another notable figure is Susan M. Gordon, who also served as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence.

As of 2025, Michael Ellis holds the position, bringing a wealth of experience from his roles as General Counsel of the National Security Agency and Senior Director for Intelligence Programs at the National Security Council.

Related Topics

• Director of Central Intelligence
• National Intelligence Program
• Defense Intelligence Agency
• U.S. National Security
• Intelligence Analysis
• Covert Operations

The role of the Deputy Director of the CIA is crucial in maintaining the balance between national security needs and the oversight required to uphold democratic values.